AN astronomical event, which takes place about once a decade, is set to amaze star-gazers in the city next week.

The transit of Mercury, when the planet tracks across the surface of the sun and can be seen with a specially adapted telescope, takes place on Wednesday, May 7.

A filtered telescope will be set up outside BBC Hereford & Worcester radio studio for budding astronomers to study the event, which will last for about five hours from 6.15am.

Worcester Astronomical Society's Sally Stars was due to discuss the event, on BBC radio's Afternoon Programme, today.